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Parametric Modeling with SolidWorks 2013Covers material found on the CSWA Exam

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Randy H. Shih Paul J. Schilling

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2-1

Chapter 2 Parametric Modeling Fundamentals

♦ Create Simple Extruded Solid Models

♦ Understand the Basic Parametric Modeling Procedure

♦ Create 2-D Sketches

♦ Understand the "Shape before Size" Approach

♦ Use the Dynamic Viewing Commands

♦ Create and Edit Parametric Dimensions

2-2 Parametric Modeling with SolidWorks

Certified SolidWorks Associate Exam Objectives Coverage

Sketch Entities – Lines, Rectangles, Circles, Arcs, Ellipses,

Centerlines Objectives: Creating Sketch Entities.

Sketch Command .....................................................2-8

Line Command ........................................................2-8

Exit Sketch ..............................................................2-14

Circle Command, Center Point Circle ..................2-29

Sketch Relations Objectives: Using Geometric Relations.

Horizontal Relation .................................................2-9

Geometric Relation Symbols ...................................2-10

Preventing Relations with [Ctrl] Key .....................2-11

View Sketch Relations .............................................2-17

Boss and Cut Features – Extrudes, Revolves, Sweeps, Lofts Objectives: Creating Basic Swept Features.

Extruded Boss/Base, Blind ....................................2-15

Merge Result Option................................................2-28

Extruded Cut ..........................................................2-30

Extruded Cut, Through All .....................................2-30

Dimensions Objectives: Applying and Editing Smart Dimensions.

Dimension, Smart Dimension ..............................2-11

Dimension Standard ..............................................2-12

Dimension, Modify .................................................2-14

Feature Conditions – Start and End Objectives: Controlling Feature Start and End Conditions.

Extruded Boss/Base, Blind ....................................2-15

Extruded Cut, Through All .....................................2-30

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Parametric Modeling Fundamentals 2-3

Introduction

The feature-based parametric modeling technique enables the designer to incorporate

the original design intent into the construction of the model. The word parametric means

the geometric definitions of the design, such as dimensions, can be varied at any time in

the design process. Parametric modeling is accomplished by identifying and creating the

key features of the design with the aid of computer software. The design variables,

described in the sketches and described as parametric relations, can then be used to

quickly modify/update the design.

In SolidWorks, the parametric part modeling process involves the following steps:

1. Create a rough two-dimensional sketch of the basic shape of the base feature

of the design.

2. Apply/modify geometric relations and dimensions to the two-dimensional

sketch.

3. Extrude, revolve, or sweep the parametric two-dimensional sketch to create

the base solid feature of the design.

4. Add additional parametric features by identifying feature relations and

complete the design.

5. Perform analyses on the computer model and refine the design as needed.

6. Create the desired drawing views to document the design.

The approach of creating two-dimensional sketches of the three-dimensional features is

an effective way to construct solid models. Many designs are in fact the same shape in

one direction. Computer input and output devices we use today are largely two-

dimensional in nature, which makes this modeling technique quite practical. This method

also conforms to the design process that helps the designer with conceptual design along

with the capability to capture the design intent. Most engineers and designers can relate

to the experience of making rough sketches on restaurant napkins to convey conceptual

design ideas. SolidWorks provides many powerful modeling and design-tools, and there

are many different approaches to accomplishing modeling tasks. The basic principle of

feature-based modeling is to build models by adding simple features one at a time. In

this chapter, the general parametric part modeling procedure is illustrated; a very simple

solid model with extruded features is used to introduce the SolidWorks user interface. The

display viewing functions and the basic two-dimensional sketching tools are also

demonstrated.


The Adjuster Design

Starting SolidWorks

1. Select the SolidWorks option on the Start menu or select the SolidWorks icon

on the desktop to start SolidWorks. The SolidWorks main window will appear on

the screen.

2. Select the New icon with a single click of

the left-mouse-button on the Menu Bar

toolbar.

3. Select the Part icon with a single click of

the left-mouse-button in the New

SolidWorks Document dialog box.

4. Select OK in the New SolidWorks

Document dialog box to open a new part

document.


SolidWorks Screen Layout

� The default SolidWorks drawing screen contains the Menu Bar, the Heads-up View

toolbar, the FeatureManager Design Tree, the Features toolbar (at the left of the

window by default), the Sketch toolbar (at the right of the window by default), the

graphics area, the task pane (collapsed to the right of the graphics area in the figure

below), and the Status Bar. A line of quick text appears next to the icon as you move

the mouse cursor over different icons. You may resize the SolidWorks drawing

window by click and drag at the edges of the window, or relocate the window by

click and drag at the window title area.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Solidworks CommandManager provides an alternate

method for displaying the most commonly used toolbars. If the CommandManager is

active, the display will appear as shown on page 1-11. In this lesson, we will use the

standard display of toolbars shown above. If a user prefers to use the CommandManager,

the only change is that it may be necessary to select the appropriate tab prior to selecting

a command. For example, if the instruction is to “select the Extruded Boss command

from the Features toolbar,” it may be necessary to first select the Features tab on the

CommandManager to display the Features toolbar.

1. To turn OFF the CommandManager and use the

standard display of toolbars, right click on the

CommandManager (or any other toolbar) and toggle

the CommandManager OFF by selecting it at the top of

the pop-up menu.

Features Toolbar Graphics

Area

Feature Manager

Design Tree

Menu Bar Heads-up View Toolbar

Status Bar

Sketch Toolbar


Units Setup

When starting a new CAD file, the first thing we should do is choose the units we would

like to use. The Unit system for the active document can be changed or customized using

the System Units option on the Status Bar at the bottom of the SolidWorks window.

We will use English units (inches, pounds) for this example.

1. The default Unit system is millimeter,

gram, second. Therefore the System

Units icon on the Status Bar displays

MMGS. Click on the System Units

icon to reveal additional options.

2. Select the Edit Document Units option as shown. This will open the

Document Properties - Units

dialog box.

3. Select IPS (inch, pound, second) under the Unit system options.

4. Select .123 in the Decimals spin box for the Length units as shown to define the

degree of accuracy with which the units will be displayed to 3 decimal places.

5. Click OK in the Options dialog box to accept the selected settings

Document Properties

Units 4. Decimals

3. Select IPS


Creating Rough Sketches Quite often during the early design stage, the shape of a design may not have any precise

dimensions. Most conventional CAD systems require the user to input the precise lengths

and locations of all geometric entities defining the design, which are not available during

the early design stage. With parametric modeling, we can use the computer to elaborate

and formulate the design idea further during the initial design stage. With SolidWorks, we

can use the computer as an electronic sketchpad to help us concentrate on the formulation

of forms and shapes for the design. This approach is the main advantage of parametric

modeling over conventional solid-modeling techniques.

As the name implies, a rough sketch is not precise at all. When sketching, we simply

sketch the geometry so that it closely resembles the desired shape. Precise scale or

lengths are not needed. SolidWorks provides us with many tools to assist us in finalizing

sketches. For example, geometric entities such as horizontal and vertical lines are set

automatically. However, if the rough sketches are poor, it will require much more work

to generate the desired parametric sketches. Here are some general guidelines for creating

sketches in SolidWorks:

• Create a sketch that is proportional to the desired shape. Concentrate on the

shapes and forms of the design.

• Keep the sketches simple. Leave out small geometry features such as fillets, rounds

and chamfers. They can easily be placed using the Fillet and Chamfer commands

after the parametric sketches have been established.

• Exaggerate the geometric features of the desired shape. For example, if the

desired angle is 85 degrees, create an angle that is 50 or 60 degrees. Otherwise,

SolidWorks might assume the intended angle to be a 90-degree angle.

• Draw the geometry so that it does not overlap. The geometry should eventually

form a closed region. Self-intersecting geometry shapes are not allowed.

• The sketched geometric entities should form a closed region. To create a solid

feature, such as an extruded solid, a closed region is required so that the extruded

solid forms a 3D volume.

� NOTE: The concepts and principles involved in parametric modeling are very

different from, and sometimes they are totally opposite to, those of conventional

computer aided drafting. In order to understand and fully utilize SolidWorks’

functionality, it will be helpful to take a Zen approach to learning the topics presented

in this text: Temporarily forget your knowledge and experiences of using

conventional Computer Aided Drafting systems.


Step 1: Creating a Rough Sketch

1. Select the Sketch button at the top

of the Sketch toolbar to create a new

sketch. Notice the left panel displays

the Edit Sketch PropertyManager

with the instruction “Select a plane

on which to create a sketch for the

entity.”

2. Move the cursor over the edge of the Front Plane in the graphics area. When the

Front Plane is highlighted, click once with the left-mouse-button to select the

Front Plane as the sketch plane for the new sketch.

3. Select the Line icon on the Sketch toolbar by

clicking once with the left-mouse-button; this will

activate the Line command. The Line Properties

PropertyManager is displayed in the left panel.

Graphics Cursors

Notice the cursor changes from an arrow to a pencil when a sketch entity is active.

4. Left-click a starting point for the shape, roughly near the lower center of the

graphics window.

5. As you move the graphics cursor, you will see a digital readout next to the cursor.

This readout gives you the line length. In the Status Bar area at the bottom of the

window, the readout gives you the cursor location. Move the cursor around and

you will notice different symbols appear at different locations.


6. Move the graphics cursor toward the right side of the graphics window to create a

horizontal line as shown below. Notice the geometric relation symbol displayed.

When the Horizontal relation symbol is displayed, left-click to select Point 2.

7. Complete the sketch as shown below, creating a closed region ending at the

starting point (Point 1.) Do not be overly concerned with the actual size of the

sketch. Note that all line segments are sketched horizontally or vertically.

8. Click the OK icon (green check mark) in the

PropertyManager to end editing of the current line, then

click the OK icon again to end the Sketch Line

command, or hit the [Esc] key once to end the Sketch

Line command.

Relation

Symbol

Point 1 Point 2

Point 1 Point 2

Point 3

Point 5 Point 6

Point 4

Point 7

(Point 1)


Geometric Relation Symbols

SolidWorks displays different visual clues, or symbols, to show you alignments,

perpendicularities, tangencies, etc. These relations are used to capture the design intent

by creating relations where they are recognized. SolidWorks displays the governing

geometric rules as models are built. To prevent relations from forming, hold down the

[Ctrl] key while creating an individual sketch curve. For example, while sketching line

segments with the Line command, endpoints are joined with a Coincident relation, but

when the [Ctrl] key is pressed and held, the inferred relation will not be created.

Vertical indicates a line is vertical

Horizontal indicates a line is horizontal

Dashed line indicates the alignment is to the center point or

endpoint of an entity

Parallel indicates a line is parallel to other entities

Perpendicular indicates a line is perpendicular to other entities

Coincident indicates the endpoint will be coincident with

another entity

Concentric indicates the cursor is at the center of an entity

Tangent indicates the cursor is at tangency points to

curves


Step 2: Apply/Modify Relations and Dimensions

� As the sketch is made, SolidWorks automatically applies some of the geometric

relations (such as Horizontal, Parallel, and Perpendicular) to the sketched

geometry. We can continue to modify the geometry, apply additional relations, and/or

define the size of the existing geometry. In this example, we will illustrate adding

dimensions to describe the sketched entities.

1. Move the cursor on top of the Smart Dimension icon on the Sketch

toolbar. The Smart Dimension command allows us to quickly create and

modify dimensions. Left-click once on the icon to activate the Smart Dimension command.

2. The message “Select one or two edges/vertices and then a text location” is

displayed in the Status Bar area at the bottom of the SolidWorks window. Select

the bottom horizontal line by left-clicking once on the line.

3. Move the graphics cursor below the selected line and left-click to place the

dimension. (Note that the value displayed on your screen might be different than

what is shown in the figure above.)

4. Enter 2.0 in the Modify dialog box.

5. Left click the OK (green check mark) in the Modify

dialog box to save the current value and exit the dialog.

6. Select the lower right-vertical line.

7. Pick a location toward the right of the sketch to place the dimension.


9. Click OK in the Modify dialog box.

� The Smart Dimension command will create a length dimension if a single line is

selected.

2. Pick the bottom

horizontal line as the

geometry to dimension. 3. Pick a location below

the line to place the

dimension.


10. Select the top-horizontal line as shown below.

11. Select the bottom-horizontal line as shown below.

12. Pick a location to the left of the sketch to place the dimension.


14. Click OK in the Modify dialog box.

� When two parallel lines are selected, the Smart Dimension command will create a

dimension measuring the distance between them.

15. On your own, repeat the above steps and create an additional dimension for the

top line. Make the dimension 0.75.

16. Click the OK icon in the PropertyManager as shown, or hit

the [Esc] key once, to end the Smart Dimension

command.

Changing the Dimension Standard

1. Select the Options icon from the Menu

Bar to open the Options dialog box.

2. Select the Document Properties tab,

then select Drafting Standard at the left.

3. Select ANSI in the pull-down selection

window under the Overall drafting

standard panel as shown.

11. Pick the bottom line

as the 2nd

geometry to

dimension.

12. Place the dimension

next to the sketch.

10. Pick the top line as the 1st

geometry to dimension.


4. Left-click OK in the Options dialog box to accept the settings.

The sketch should now look as shown below. Notice the change in appearance of the

dimensions.

Viewing Functions – Zoom and Pan

• SolidWorks provides a special user interface that enables convenient viewing of the

entities in the graphics window. There are many ways to perform the Zoom and

Pan operations.

1. Hold the Ctrl function key down. While holding the Ctrl function key down,

press the mouse wheel down and drag the mouse to pan the display. This allows

you to reposition the display while maintaining the same scale factor of the

display.

2. Hold the Shift function key down. While holding the Shift function key down,

press the mouse wheel down and drag the mouse to zoom the display. Moving

downward will reduce the scale of the display, making the entities display smaller

on the screen. Moving upward will magnify the scale of the display.

3. Turning the mouse wheel can also adjust the scale of the display. Turn the mouse

wheel forward. Notice the scale of the display is reduced, making the entities

display smaller on the screen.

4. Turn the mouse wheel backward. Notice scale of the display is magnified.

(NOTE: Turning the mouse wheel allows zooming to the position of the cursor.)

5. On your own, use the options above to change the scale and position of the

display.

6. Press the F key on the keyboard to automatically fit the model to the screen.


Modifying the Dimensions of the Sketch

1. Select the dimension that is to the bottom

of the sketch by double-clicking with the

left-mouse-button on the dimension text.

2. In the Modify window, the current length of the line is

displayed. Enter 2.5 to reset the length of the line.

3. Click on the OK icon to accept the entered value.

� SolidWorks will now update the profile with the new dimension value.

4. On your own, repeat the above

steps and adjust the left vertical

dimension to 2.5 so that the sketch

appears as shown.

5. Press the [Esc] key once to exit the

Dimension command.

6. Click once with the left-mouse-button

on the Sketch icon on the Sketch

toolbar to exit the sketch.

� Notice the newly created sketch is listed on the Feature-

Manager Design Tree as Sketch1. Also notice that

Sketch1 is highlighted in the Design Tree, indicating that

the sketch is currently ‘selected’.

1. Select this dimension

to modify.

4. Select this dimension

to modify.


Step 3: Completing the Base Solid Feature

Now that the 2D sketch is completed, we will proceed to the next step: creating a 3D part

from the 2D profile. Extruding a 2D profile is one of the common methods that can be

used to create 3D parts. We can extrude planar faces along a path. We can also specify a

height value and a tapered angle.

1. In the Features toolbar (located at the left of the

window), select the Extruded Boss/Base

command by clicking once with the left-mouse-

button on the icon. The Boss Extrude Property-

Manager is displayed in the left panel.

2. In the Boss Extrude PropertyManager panel, enter 2.5 as the extrusion distance.

Notice that the sketch region is automatically selected as the extrusion profile.

3. Click on the OK button to proceed with creating the 3D part.

� Note that all dimensions disappeared from the screen. All parametric definitions are

stored in the SolidWorks database and any of the parametric definitions can be

displayed and edited at any time.

2. Enter 2.5

3. Click OK


Isometric View

� SolidWorks provides many ways to display views of the three-dimensional design.

We will first orient the model to display in the isometric view, by using the View

Orientation pull-down menu on the Heads-up View toolbar.

1. Select the View Orientation button on

the Heads-up View toolbar by clicking

once with the left-mouse-button.

2. Select the Isometric icon in the View

Orientation pull-down menu.

� Notice the other view-related commands that are

available under the pull-down menu.

Rotation of the 3D Model – Rotate View

The Rotate View command allows us to

rotate a part or assembly in the graphics

window. Rotation can be around the

center mark, free in all directions, or

around a selected entity (vertex, edge, or

face) on the model.

1. Move the cursor over the

SolidWorks logo to display the pull-

down menus. Select View →

Modify → Rotate from the pull-

down menu as shown.

2. Move the cursor inside the graphics area.

Press down the left-mouse-button and drag in

an arbitrary direction; the Rotate View

command allows us to freely rotate the solid

model.

• The model will rotate about an axis normal to the

direction of cursor movement. For example, drag

the cursor horizontally across the screen and the

model will rotate about a vertical axis.

3. Press the [Esc] key once to exit the Rotate View command.


4. Select the Isometric icon in the View Orientation pull-down menu (see steps 1

and 2 in the previous section) to reset the display to the isometric view.

5. Execute the Rotate View option from the View pull-down menu (see step 1).

6. Move the cursor over the left edge of the solid

model as shown. When the edge is

highlighted, click the left-mouse-button once

to select the edge.

7. Press down the left-mouse-button and drag.

The model will rotate about this edge.

8. Left-click in the graphics area, outside the

model, to unselect the edge.

9. Move the cursor over the upper front face of

the solid model as shown. When the face is

highlighted, click the left-mouse-button once

to select the face.


The model will rotate about the direction

normal to this face.


model, to unselect the face.

12. Move the cursor over the upper front vertex as

shown. When the vertex is highlighted, click

the left-mouse-button once to select the

vertex.


The model will rotate about the vertex.


model, to unselect the vertex.

15. Press the [Esc] key once to exit the Rotate View command.

16. On your own, reset the display to the isometric view.

6. Click on

this edge.

9. Click on

this face.

12. Click on

this vertex.


Rotation and Panning – Arrow Keys

SolidWorks allows us to easily rotate a part or assembly in the graphics window using the

arrow keys on the keyboard.

• Use the arrow keys to rotate the view horizontally or vertically. The left-right arrow keys rotate the model about a vertical axis. The up-down keys rotate the

model about a horizontal axis.

• Hold down the Alt key and use the left-right arrow keys to rotate the model about

an axis normal to the screen, i.e., to rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise.

1. Hit the left arrow key. The model view rotates

by a pre-determined increment. The default

increment is 15°. (This increment can be set in

the Options dialog box.) On your own use the

left-right and up-down arrow keys to rotate the

view.

2. Hold down the [Alt] key and hit the left arrow key. The model view rotates in the clockwise

direction. On your own use the left-right and

up-down arrow keys, and the Alt key plus the

left-right arrow keys, to rotate the view.

3. Reset the display to the Isometric view.

• Hold down the [Shift] key and use the left-right and up-down arrow keys to

rotate the model in 90° increments.

4. Hold down the [Shift] key and hit the right arrow key. The view will rotate by

90°. On your own use the [Shift] key plus the left-right arrow keys to rotate the

view.

5. Select the Front icon in the View Orientation pull-down menu as shown to

display the Front view of the model.


6. Hold down the [Shift] key and hit the left arrow key. The view rotates to the

Right side view.

7. Hold down the [Shift] key and hit the down arrow key. The view rotates to the

Top view.

8. Reset the display to the Isometric view.

• Hold down the [Ctrl] key and use the left-right and up-down arrow keys to pan

the model in increments.

9. Hold down the [Ctrl] key and hit the left arrow key. The view pans, moving the

model toward the left side of the screen. On your own use [Ctrl] key plus the left-right and up-down arrow keys to pan the view.

Viewing – Quick Keys

We can also use the function keys on the keyboard and the mouse to access the Viewing

functions.

� Panning – (1) Hold Ctrl key, press and drag the mouse wheel

Hold the [Ctrl] function key down, and press and drag with the mouse wheel to

pan the display. This allows you to reposition the display while maintaining the

same scale factor of the display.

Pan +

6. Right Side

View

7. Top View

Press and drag the

mouse wheel Ctrl


(2) Hold Ctrl key, use arrow keys

+

� Zooming – (1) Hold Shift key, press and drag the mouse wheel

Hold the [Shift] function key down, and press and drag with the mouse wheel to

zoom the display. Moving downward will reduce the scale of the display, making

the entities display smaller on the screen. Moving upward will magnify the scale

of the display.

Zoom +

(2) Turning the mouse wheel

Turning the mouse wheel can also adjust the scale of the display. Turning forward

will reduce the scale of the display, making the entities display smaller on the

screen. Turning backward will magnify the scale of the display.

• Turning the mouse wheel allows

zooming to the position of the

cursor.

• If the cursor is outside the

graphics area, the wheel will

allow zooming to the center of the

graphics area.

(3) Z key or Shift + Z key

Pressing the [Z] key on the keyboard will zoom out. Holding the [Shift] function

key and pressing the [Z] key will zoom in.

or +

Press and drag the mouse wheel

Turn the

mouse wheel

Ctrl

Shift

Shift Z Z


� 3D Rotation – (1) Press and drag the mouse wheel

Press and drag with the mouse wheel to rotate the display.

Rotation

(2) Use arrow keys

Viewing Tools – Heads-up View Toolbar

The Heads-up View toolbar is a transparent toolbar which appears in each viewport and

provides easy access to commonly used tools for manipulating the view. The default

toolbar is described below.

Zoom to Fit – Adjusts the view so that all items on the screen fit inside the graphics

window.

Zoom to Fit

Section

View Hide/Show Items

Apply Scene

Edit

Appearance

Display

Style

Previous

View

Press and drag the mouse wheel

Alt +Shift +

Rotate left,

right, up, down

Rotate left, right,

up, down -90°

Rotate clockwise,

counter-clockwise

Zoom to Area

View Settings

View

Orientation


Zoom to Area – Use the cursor to define a region for the view; the defined region is

zoomed to fill the graphics window.

Previous View – Returns to the previous view.

Section View – Displays a cutaway of a part or assembly using one or more section

planes

View Orientation – This allows you to change the current view orientation or

number of viewports.

Display Style – This can be used to changes the display style (shaded, wireframe,

etc.) for the active view.

Hide/Show Items – The pull-down menu is used to control the visibility of items

(axes, sketches, relations, etc.) in the graphics area.

Edit Appearance – Edits the appearance of entities (e.g., parts, faces, features) in

the model.

Apply Scene – Cycles through or applies a specific scene.

View Settings – Allows you to toggle various view settings (e.g., shadows,

perspective).

View Orientation

Click on the View Orientation icon on the Heads-up View

toolbar to reveal the view orientation and number of viewports

options.

Standard view orientation options – Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom, Isometric, Trimetric, or Dimetric – icons can

be selected to display the corresponding standard view. In the

figure to the left, the Isometric view is selected.

Normal to – In a part or assembly, zooms and rotates the model to display the

selected plane or face. You can select the element either before or after clicking

the Normal to icon.

The icons across the bottom of the pull-down menu allow you to

display a single viewport (the default) or multiple viewports.

The View Selector provides an in-context method to select standard and non-

standard views.


The Add View option allows you to add a custom view to the Orientation menu.

Display Style

Click on the Display Style icon on the Heads-up View toolbar to reveal the display style

options.

Shaded with Edges – Allows the display of a shaded view of a 3D

model with its edges.

Shaded – Allows the display of a shaded view of a 3D model.

Hidden Lines Removed – Allows the display of the 3D objects using

the basic wireframe representation scheme. Only those edges which are

visible in the current view are displayed.

Hidden Lines Visible – Allows the display of the 3D objects using the basic

wireframe representation scheme in which all the edges of the model are displayed,

but edges that are hidden in the current view are displayed as dashed lines (or in a

different color).

Wireframe – Allows the display of the 3D objects using the basic wireframe

representation scheme in which all the edges of the model are displayed.

Orthographic vs. Perspective

Besides the basic display modes, we can also choose orthographic view or perspective

view of the display. Clicking on the View Settings icon on the Heads-up View toolbar

will reveal the Perspective icon. Clicking on the Perspective icon toggles the

perspective view ON and OFF.

� On your own, use the different options described in the above sections to familiarize

yourself with the 3D viewing/display commands. Reset the display to the standard

isometric view before continuing to the next section.


Sketch Plane

Design modeling software is becoming more powerful and user friendly, yet the system

still does only what the user tells it to do. When using a geometric modeler, we therefore

need to have a good understanding of what its inherent limitations are. We should also

have a good understanding of what we want to do and what to expect, as the results are

based on what is available.

In most 3D geometric modelers, 3D objects are located and defined in what is usually

called world space or global space. Although a number of different coordinate systems

can be used to create and manipulate objects in a 3D modeling system, the objects are

typically defined and stored using the world space. The world space is usually a 3D

Cartesian coordinate system that the user cannot change or manipulate.

In most engineering designs, models can be very complex, and it would be tedious and

confusing if only the world coordinate system were available. Practical 3D modeling

systems allow the user to define Local Coordinate Systems relative to the world

coordinate system. Once a local coordinate system is defined, we can then create

geometry in terms of this more convenient system.

Although objects are created and stored in 3D space coordinates, most of the geometry

entities can be referenced using 2D Cartesian coordinate systems. Typical input devices

such as a mouse or digitizers are two-dimensional by nature; the movement of the input

device is interpreted by the system in a planar sense. The same limitation is true of

common output devices, such as screen displays and plotters. The modeling software

performs a series of three-dimensional to two-dimensional transformations to correctly

project 3D objects onto a 2D picture plane.


The SolidWorks sketch plane is a special construction tool that enables the planar nature

of 2D input devices to be directly mapped into the 3D coordinate system. The sketch

plane is a local coordinate system that can be aligned to the world coordinate system, an

existing face of a part, or a reference plane. By default, the sketch plane is aligned to the

world coordinate system.

Think of a sketch plane as the surface on which we can sketch the 2D profiles of the

parts. It is similar to a piece of paper, a white board, or a chalkboard that can be attached

to any planar surface. The first profile we create is usually drawn on a sketch plane

attached to a coordinate system such as the Front (XY), Top (XZ), and Right (YZ)

sketch planes. Subsequent profiles can then be drawn on sketch planes that are defined on

planar faces of a part, work planes attached to part geometry, or sketch planes

attached to a coordinate system. The model we have created so far used the

SolidWorks Front Plane, which is aligned to the XY plane of the world coordinate

system.

1. Select the Sketch button at the top of the Sketch toolbar to create a new

sketch.

2. In the Edit Sketch PropertyManager, the message “Select: 1) a plane, a planar

face, or an edge on which to create a sketch for the entity” is displayed.

SolidWorks expects us to identify a planar surface where the 2D sketch of the next

feature is to be created. Move the graphics cursor on the 3D part and notice that

SolidWorks will automatically highlight feasible planes and surfaces as the cursor

is on top of the different surfaces. Pick the top horizontal face of the 3D solid

object.

� Note that the sketch plane is aligned to the selected face. SolidWorks automatically

establishes a local coordinate system, and records its location with respect to the part

on which it was created.

2. Pick the top face of

the solid model.


Step 4-1: Adding an Extruded Boss Feature

• Next, we will create and profile another sketch, a rectangle, which will be used to

create another extrusion feature that will be added to the existing solid object.

1. Select the Line command by clicking once with the

left-mouse-button on the icon in the Sketch toolbar.

2. Move the cursor over the rear

top vertex of the model. When

the Coincident relation symbol

appears as shown, click once

with the left-mouse-button.

This will start the first line,

constraining its endpoint to be

coincident with the vertex.

3. Create a sketch with segments perpendicular/parallel to the existing edges of the

solid model as shown below. Close the sketch by ending at Point 1. NOTE:

Use the Pan and Zoom options discussed earlier to control the view as needed.

4. Click the OK icon (green check mark) in the PropertyManager twice, or hit the

[Esc] key once, to end the Sketch Line command.

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Point 4 Point 5 Point 7

(Point 1)

Point 6


� We will hide the Sketch Relation icons in the

sketch. The visibility of these and other items is

controlled using the Hide/Show Items option on

the Heads-up View toolbar.

5. Click on the Hide/Show Items icon on the

Heads-up View toolbar to reveal the pull-down

menu.

6. Click on the View Sketch Relations icon on

the pull-down menu to toggle the sketch relation

icon visibility OFF.

7. Click away from the pull-down menu to accept

the settings.

8. Select the Smart Dimension command in the Sketch toolbar. The Smart Dimension command allows us to quickly create and modify dimensions.

Left-click once on the icon to activate the Smart Dimension command.

9. The message “Select one or two edges/vertices and then a text location” is

displayed in the Status Bar area, at the bottom of the SolidWorks window. Create

the four dimensions to describe the size of the sketch as shown in the figure,

entering the values shown (2.5, 2.5, 0.75 and 0.75).

10. Click the OK icon in the PropertyManager as shown, or hit the [Esc] key once,

to end the Smart Dimension command.

11. Click once with the left-mouse-button on

the Sketch icon on the Sketch toolbar to

exit the sketch.


12. In the Features toolbar (located at the left of the

window), select the Extruded Boss/Base

command by clicking once with the left-mouse-

button on the icon.

13. In the Boss Extrude PropertyManager panel, enter 2.5 as the extrusion distance.

Notice that the sketch region is automatically selected as the extrusion profile.

14. Click the Reverse Direction button in the PropertyManager as shown. The

extrude preview should appear as shown above.

15. Make sure the Merge Result option is selected (check box is checked).

� With the Merge Result option selected, the resultant body is merged into the

existing body (if possible). If the Merge Result option is not selected, the

Extruded Boss/Base feature creates a distinct solid body.

16. Click on the OK button to proceed

with creating the extruded feature.

13. Enter 2.5

16. Click OK

14. Click Reverse

Direction

15. Merge Result


Step 4-2: Adding an Extruded Cut Feature

• Next, we will create and profile a circle, which will be used to create a cut feature

that will be added to the existing solid object.

1. Click in the graphics area, away from the model, to ensure no items are selected.

2. Select the Sketch button at the top of the Sketch toolbar to create a new

sketch.

3. In the Edit Sketch PropertyManager, the message “Select: 1) a plane, a planar

face, or an edge on which to create a sketch for the entity” is displayed.

SolidWorks expects us to identify a planar surface where the 2D sketch of the next

feature is to be created. Move the graphics cursor on the 3D part and notice that

SolidWorks will automatically highlight feasible planes and surfaces as the cursor

is on top of the different surfaces. Pick the horizontal face of the 3D solid

object.

� Note that the sketch plane is aligned to the selected

face.

4. Select the Circle command by

clicking once with the left-mouse-

button on the icon in the Sketch

toolbar.

5. Create a circle of arbitrary size on the top

face of the solid model as shown. Click

once with the left-mouse-button to select the

center of the circle, move and click again to

set the radius. Press the [Esc] key once to

end the Circle command.


6. On your own, create and modify

the dimensions of the sketch as

shown in the figure. NOTE:

Select the center of the circle,

then the appropriate edge to

apply the linear dimensions.

Select any point on the circle to

apply the diameter dimension.

7. Click the OK icon in the PropertyManager, or hit the [Esc] key once, to end the

Smart Dimension command.

8. Click once with the left-mouse-button on

the Sketch icon on the Sketch toolbar to

exit the sketch.

9. In the Features toolbar (located at the left

of the window), select the Extruded Cut command by clicking once with the left-

mouse-button on the icon. The Extrude

PropertyManager is displayed in the left

panel. Notice that the sketch region (the

circle) is automatically selected as the

extrusion profile.

10. In the Cut-Extrude PropertyManager panel, click the

arrow to reveal the pull-down options for the End

Condition (the default end condition is ‘Blind”), and

select Through All as shown.

11. Click the OK button (green check mark) in the Cut-

Extrude PropertyManager panel.

12. Click in the graphics area, away from the model, to

ensure no items are selected.

13. Press the F key on the keyboard to fit the model to the

screen.


Save the Part File

1. Select Save in the Menu Bar pull-down menu, or

you can also use the “Ctrl-S” combination (hold

down the “Ctrl” key and hit the “S” key once) to

save the part.

2. In the popup window, select the directory to store the model in and enter

Adjuster as the name of the file.

3. Click on the Save button to save the file.

� You should form a habit of saving your work periodically, just in case something

might go wrong while you are working on it. In general, one should save one’s work

at an interval of every 15 to 20 minutes. One should also save before making any

major modifications to the model.


Questions: 1. What is the first thing we should set up in SolidWorks when creating a new model?

2. Describe the general parametric modeling procedure.

3. What is the main difference between a rough sketch and a profile?

4. List two of the geometric relation symbols used by SolidWorks.

5. What was the first feature we created in this lesson?

6. Describe the steps required to define the orientation of the sketching plane?

7. Identify the following commands:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)


Exercises: (All dimensions are in inches.)

1. Plate Thickness: .25

2. Plate Thickness: .5


3.

4.

Parametric Modeling with SolidWorks 2013Covers material found on the CSWA Exam

®

Randy H. Shih Paul J. Schilling

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